20.33°C Vancouver

Nov 11, 2020 12:23 AM -

Celebrate Diwali safely this year: Doug McCallum

Share On

On behalf of City Council, I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Diwali this year.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a much-loved cultural tradition in Surrey that promotes the message of unity, warmth and joy.

Like all big celebrations, Diwali is traditionally a time for family and friends to come together to enjoy food and each other’s company.

This year, however, celebrations must be approached differently.

With the recent sharp rise of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Vancouver a new Provincial Health Order was issued this past weekend and it is vital that Diwali celebrations comply with the new order.

If we all do our part, we can rein in the spread of the virus and bring the curve back down.

That is why it is more important than ever that this year’s celebrations are kept only to your immediate household as mandated by the Provincial Health Order.

That means no social gatherings, whether they be indoors or outdoors, of any size beyond your immediate household.

I am proud of how the vast majority of our community have taken the COVID public health protocols to heart.

We must all continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of this virus so we can better our odds of getting back to the way of life we all want sooner rather than later.

Make no mistake about it, the actions we take now will have a long-term impact in our fight against COVID.

So do your part and keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe by fully observing the new Provincial Health Order that has been put in place between now and November 23.

Latest news

canada-eu-to-forge-a-new-strategic-partnership-geneviève-tuts
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada-EU to Forge a New Strategic Partnership: Geneviève Tuts

European Union Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts has revealed that the EU and Ottawa are working toward an unprecedented strategic partnership. Her comments come ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, next week. Carney has been invited to speak as a non-European leader. According to Tuts, the proposed trade and strategic framework will be part of the broader security and economic alliance Carney highlighted last month. She said the partnership would be distinct from the EU’s existing agreements with countries such as Switz
bc-forestry-sector-urges-urgent-action-writes-to-premier-eby
BCSep 09, 2026

BC Forestry Sector Urges Urgent Action, Writes to Premier Eby

Major organizations representing British Columbia’s forestry sector have written to Premier David Eby, calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis in the province’s forest industry. The BC Council of Forest Industries, BC Wood and the United Steelworkers jointly sent a letter to the provincial government this month, urging Premier Eby to establish a Forestry Crisis Action Group under his leadership. The groups said B.C.’s forestry sector is at a critical crossroads. While acknowledging that international trade pressures are beyond the direct control of the provincial gover
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada Eases Study Rules for Temporary Foreign Workers, Allows Up to 6 Months of Study Without Permit

The Canadian government has announced a temporary measure allowing eligible temporary foreign workers already in the country to study for up to six months without applying for a study permit. The initiative is aimed at helping workers upgrade their skills, obtain short-term training and pursue professional licensing while continuing to work. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the measure will particularly benefit workers in high-demand fields, including nurses, laboratory technicians and skilled tradespeople. The government says the move is intended to help addr
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Tariff War Could Push Up Prices at Canadian Retail Stores

Canadian shoppers could see higher prices at retail stores as the ongoing tariff war begins to affect newly imported goods. However, retailers say the impact may take some time to reach store shelves as businesses first work through inventory purchased before the latest tariffs came into effect. Matt Poirier of the Retail Council of Canada said products with short shelf lives or those that sell quickly are likely to see price increases first. This could be followed by slower-moving items such as ovens and washing machines as retailers replenish their stock with tariff-affected products. Canad
85-year-old-man-killed-by-stray-bullet-in-burnaby-apartment
BCSep 09, 2026

85-Year-Old Man Killed by Stray Bullet in Burnaby Apartment

An 85-year-old man was killed after being struck by a stray bullet inside his apartment in Burnaby. According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the body of Chang Yong Cho was found on Aug. 30 inside his apartment in the 7400 block of Kingsway. Police had received reports of a shooting in a nearby block at around 1:30 a.m. Later that day, at approximately 4 p.m., Burnaby RCMP received a call requesting a welfare check at the apartment, where Cho was found dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators said shots were fired during a dispute between a group of young people. One of t

Related News